OK, for the service not working you won't gain anything by changing to the 9900 because older BB's require BIS services, so you need to call simple Mobile to add it.
Wrong I have BB service but the Verizon 9930 Does NOT support T-Mobile's 3g frequency.
In a place outside of the USA I have full service (such as in Israel) because the 3g frequency is supported.
Also the 9900 is not an older phone its just the GSM version of the 9930 (CDMA)
ETA: I have bis service